Navigating the Art of Letting Go and Creating Space for Renewal
Lately, I've been thinking about how we age well, and I've come to realize I have a letting go and "creating space for the new" problem. The root of this psychological issue escapes me, though I believe I come by this naturally (for any family members reading).
The Struggle of Letting Go
When it comes to stuff, I realize I ask myself too many questions. What if I need it? What if I'll regret getting rid of it due to sentimental value? Then there's this question: Should I give it to someone, donate it, or simply throw it away for landfill?
All these things can paralyze me from making any decisions about letting go. Related to aging, this looks like filling up empty spaces in the garage until a massive spring cleaning day. I imagine some of you relate to my struggle...while others may find it easy to let go of stuff.
When it comes to my journals or digital files, I feel even more paralyzed. As I type this, I have a lavender colored notebook with the words "Thrive" on the cover. It's from 2018. I've gone through and typed anything I think might be relevant for future essays or books — but the idea of being wrong stops me from saying a "forever" good-bye.
What if I'm wrong? What if I wanted to remember I was listening to Invention of Wings in April? Isn't it a positive that when reading the reminder written in May: "Contact Eric about floating the river," I'm invaded with lots of memories of Eric, including when he'd convinced some firefighters (with the fire engine) to help him hang a massive birthday banner reading, "Happy 16th Birthday, Kimber," on the town's covered bridge so I would see it on the way to school? Or how about the random sentences like, "Zebras in the green grass." Or the sentence placed between "Cocoon - weaving, resting" and "Twin Rivers Funeral?" stating, "It was the kind of anticipation I felt when the wind brought both the sweet smell of alfalfa drying and rain."
Embracing the Practice of Letting Go
How do I navigate letting go when I can make anything relevant? How do you do it? Natalie Goldberg, someone I've trained with for over ten years, never seems to have this problem. She releases her notebooks every couple of years; it's built into her life routines. Even books she releases (and she loves books!), so she can make space for new ones on her shelves. She never says it's easy. Instead, the practice is framed as: "It must be done so you aren't bogged down: so you don't cling too long to old ideas. If it's important, it will resurface - possibly better than before." (But will it??)
Am I trying to avoid regret (probably)? Am I afraid of dying (aren't all of us)? Of being forgotten (possibly)? Of forgetting a younger me (definitely)? Do I spend too much time refreshing outside in nature that I forget my garage could use a refresher (absolutely)? Or do I think it should be easy so I avoid it since it's hard (pondering this)?
How do you let go? What helps you create space for the new? (Send me tips!) How does Jesus, the One who perfectly embodied letting go (if this is your spiritual belief), impact your letting-go mindset?